Do you have any insecurities as a language learner? Well, this is going to be a post divided into 3 useful parts. It is based on my life experience:
- As English Language learners Why do People Feel Insecure?
- How to change it? 25 Qualities Of A Good Language Learner
- The 3 Words Game: As A Teacher Help Expanding Your Students’ Vocabulary (+FREE DOWNLOADS)
First, as an ENGLISH FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNER, you probably feel insecure.
I was once one myself. I felt insecure as a non-native speaker and sometimes still do, even now being an ESL teacher.
- You feel you are never good enough. Your insecurities as a language learner rise!
2. You love the language, but you feel limited.
3. As a learner, you don’t know what to change.
4. You feel shy whenever you speak because you don’t have the native-like fluency.
5. You feel lonely when facing those who speak English (better).
6. Words are missing as you speak.
7. You are always aware of your grammar mistakes.
8. The others can’t understand you and you feel frustrated because of that.
9. You feel disappointed with yourself.
10. You don’t see the ending of the process (but let me tell you that you never stop learning! Accept the fact, face it and live with it. In fact that’s the best of it!).
To know more about this subject, make sure to read this great post Insecurities of a Language Learner (+ how to overcome them)
Secondly, if you feel insecure, how can you change it? What can you do?
Is there anything that can change the way you feel?
YES.
THERE IS.
LOTS OF THINGS CAN BE DONE.
Learning a foreign language is a complex process and that is, in my opinion, both a good and a bad thing.
The good thing is that lots of things can be done precisely because it is not that simple. Read my posts 15 Quotes To Boost Your English Language Learning, How To Learn New English Words Every Day, ESL Vocabulary And Ways To Enlarge It and Vocabulary Learning And 9 Things A Learner Needs. They will help you!
Below you will read 25 qualities I think a good language learner should have in order to beat the insecurities as a language learner.
However, I could have gathered 40 or 60. There are so many.
And, at the same time, it all comes down to the first and the last points…
1. Exercise and practise the language every day. Establish a routine. Our brain is not a computer. If we don’t use the language, we forget it.
2. Speak every day. Start ignoring the mistakes. Concentrate on the communication, the message.
3. Be creative.
4. Don’t get frustrated.
5. Use memory strategies.
6. Learn from mistakes.
7. Write some sentences, keep them for you or send them to a friend (by email, for example).
8. Read aloud as much as you can (even a little bit every day helps).
9. Do a little more every single day.
10. Set a goal.
11. Take responsibility.
12. Listen to English regularly.
13. Try and get as much contact with the Language as possible.
14. Overcome the fear of speaking. Don’t be afraid of what comes out. Say it!
15. Use the language while you are learning the language.
16. Have fun with the language. Watch funny videos on YT or read jokes, for instance.
17. Never feel disappointed with yourself.
18. Don’t judge yourself! No one will laugh or is worried about the way you speak.
19. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes.
20. The less you worry, the more you have confidence in yourself and the easier it will get.
21. Ignore the nasty comments about your English level. You have to start somewhere…
22. Become aware that you will never speak the English language as the “Natives” do.
23. Remember you are good enough as long as you do your best!
24. Don’t try to achieve a high level at first, but establish goals.
25. Never forget where you have started and what you have already done.
Finally, as an ESL teacher, I came up with this vocabulary game idea and figured out 6 different ways of playing it.
1. Find Someone Who…
Play the game by cutting the cards, distribute cards, set a time, make students walk around (a nice way to find matching groups).
2. As Quickly As You Can
Distribute the full worksheet, set a time and make it a challenge, find the winner.
3. Two Heads Think Quicker
Distribute the worksheet, set pairs and time and make it a challenge, find the winning pair.
4. The Big League
Distribute the worksheet, build groups and set a time, make it a challenge, find the winning group.
5. Clash of Champions
Divide the class into two teams, distribute the worksheet, set a time, make it a challenge, find the winning team.
6. Virtual Battle
Divide the class into different teams, share the worksheet in the screen, set a time, make it a challenge, find the winning team.
Sign up to receive a 8-page PDF document (including the template) ready to print and to play during the school year! Your students will love this game!
SUBSCRIBE TO GET THE BUNDLE OF 7 GAMES + THE TEMPLATE!
I have also prepared a PDF template for you to customize according to your needs.
I hope you have enjoyed the tips and especially the game!
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